The finest restaurant in the Fairmont Banff Springs, 1888 Chop House, is where the castle pulls out all the stops. Named for the year the hotel first opened its doors, it's a modern take on the classic chophouse — intimate, elegant, and unapologetically indulgent. The menu centres on prime cuts of Alberta beef, sustainably sourced wild game, and Ocean Wise seafood, all developed through close relationships with local farmers and producers. The award-winning wine list is one of the best in the Rockies, and the champagne cart — a beloved tradition carried over from its predecessor, the Banffshire Club — remains a signature touch.

Open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner only, the room seats just 92 guests, keeping things intimate for a hotel of this scale. A private dining room tucked among the wine collection seats up to 12 for special occasions.

A word of honest advice: this is genuinely excellent dining, but it comes at a price that will make your eyes water. Budget accordingly, dress smart, and book well in advance — particularly on weekends. For a special occasion meal inside one of the world's great mountain hotels, though, it's hard to argue with the setting.